Machine propelling mechanism



Sept. 12, 1961 J. H. WAGNER 2,999,554

MACHINE PROPELLING MECHANISM Filed July 5, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

JOHN H. WAGNER ATTORNEY S pt 2, 1 J. H. WAGNER 2,999,554

MACHINE PROPELLING MECHANISM.

Filed July 3, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 /2 FIG. 4. 12 i FIG. 6.

IN V EN TOR.

JOHN H. WAGNER ATTORNEY Sept. 12, 1961 J. H. WAGNER MACHINE PROPELLING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 3, 1958 FIG. 9.

INVENTOR. JOHN H. WAGNER ATTORNEY Sept. 12, 1961 J. H. WAGNER 2,999,554

'MACHINE PROPELLING MECHANISM Filed July 3, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 10.

2 56 l f 55 H6. 11. 4,4

0 a 35 Q /8 l 3 25 49 4 /0 I /7 -1 n Tin n r\ K r\ r INVENTOR.

JOHN H. WAGNER ATTORNEY Sept. 12, 1961 J. H. WAGNER MACHINE PROPELLING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 3, 1958 FIG. 14.

INVENTOR.

JOHN H. WAGNER ATTORNEY (United Sites ll atet 2,999,554 MACE PIKQPELLING MECHANISM .Iohn H. Wagner, Franklin, Pa, assignor to Joy Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed .luly 3, 1958, der. No. 746,518 20 Claims. (til. mil-6.48)

This invention relates to machine propelling mechanism and more particularly to a crawler type propelling mechanism embodying an endless crawler tread mounted on an adjustable support and having propelling portions moving in relatively different directions whereby the machine may be propelled in relatively different directions.

Known forms of machine propelling mechanisms such as a crawler tread mechanism having endless ground engaging treads are usually provided with relatively complicated controlling and reversing mechanisms whereby the machine may be propelled in relatively different directions and usually the machine is turned by relatively moving the crawler treads to effect sluing. The present invention contemplates improvements over such known forms of propelling mechanisms in that the change in direction in propulsion of the machine may be effected by a relatively simple adjustment of the crawler tread mechanism, thereby eliminating all complicated controlling and reversing mechanisms and at the same time eliminating any need for undesired sluing of the machine by drive of the treads as the machine is moved sidewise. The propelling means of the present invention embodies an improved crawler tread mechanism having an endless crawler tread guided on an adjustable mounting whereby relatively movable ground engaging portions of the endless tread may selectively be brought into contact with the ground to effect machine propulsion in relatively different directions.

It is accordingly a primary object of this invention to provide an improved propelling mechanism whereby a machine may be propelled in relatively different directions in an improved manner. Another object is to provide an improved crawler tread mechanism. A further object is to provide an improved propelling means having relatively movable propelling means selectively adjustable into propelling engagement with the ground whereby propulsion may be effected in relatively different directions in an improved manner. Yet another object is to provide an improved machine propelling means of the endless crawler type whereby the machine may be moved sidewise while the longitudinal axis of the machine is substantially maintained along parallel lines thereby avoiding needless and undesired sluing of the machine. A still further object is to provide an improved crawler tread type propelling means comprising an endless tread having ground engaging portions moving in relatively different directions and selectively engageable with the ground for effecting propulsion of the machine in relatively different directions. Still another object is to provide an improved adjustable mounting for an endless crawler tread. Another object is to provide an improved crawler tread mechanism for moving a machine longitudinally back and forth and laterally without sluing of the machine. A further object is to provide an improved endless crawler tread structure having improved chain link and tread plate elements of a relatively flat design with the tread guided for circulation along a path disposed at an angle closer to the horizontal than to the vertical. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear in the course of the ensuing description.

In the accompanying drawings there are shown for purposes of illustration several forms and modifications Which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a propelling mechanism constructed in accordance with a preferred illustrative form of the invention, with the associated machine to be propelled indicated in broken lines.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front end view of one of the crawler tread mechanisms taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the longitudinal portion of the crawler tread in contact with the ground.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the planes of line 4-4 of FIG. 3, with a portion shown in horizontal section, illustrating structural details.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section taken on line 55 of FIG. 4, showing details of the tread chain and its drive.

FIG. 6 is a detail section taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 4, showing an idler for the tread chain.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are somewhat schematic views in perspective showing relatively different positions of the tread structure with different portions in contact with the ground, whereby the direction of propulsion may be changed.

FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 2, showing a modified construction.

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing the crawler tread frame in a lowered machine stabilizing positron.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 10, showing a further modification.

FIG. 13 is a detail section taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12 showing the jack arrangement.

FIG. 14 is a somewhat schematic plan view showing still another form of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary plan view showing still another modified construction.

FIG. 16 is an end view taken on line 1616 of FIG. 15, showing the ground engaging treads in relatively different positions, as indicated in full and dotted lines.

In the preferred illustrative embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 inclusive the improved propelling mechamsm, generally designated 1, is associated with a machine, generally designated 2, which may assume any suitable form. The propelling mechanism is herein desirably of the crawler type and includes four crawler mechanisms or crawler units 3 disposed at the four opposite corners of the machine frame 4 and each crawler device comprises an endless crawler tread or tread chain 5 guided for orbital circulation about a guidewa'y 6 of an adjustable guide frame, as now described in detail.

The crawler devices are desirably similar in design and each includes a generally triangular frame 8 adjustably mounted on the machine frame and having suitable power adjusting means 9. In this instance, the triangular frames 8 are each pivotally mounted on a transversely extending, diagonally disposed, pivot shaft 10 mounted on depending lugs 11 of brackets depending from the bottom of the machine frame. Each endless crawler chain is of a flat, low height construction disposed at a small angle with respect to the horizontal and composed of a series of flat tread plates or shoes 12 pivotally connected together by links 13 and each tread plate or shoe desirably has an arcuate bottom ground engaging surface 14. The tread plates 12 and links 13 of each chain are pivotally connected by hinge pins 16 (FIGS. 4 and 5) and these hinge pins are each desirably in the form of a headed rivet welded to an upper link. Projecting upwardly from each tread plate or shoe near the outer chain periphery is a sharpened toothlike portion or digging cutter 17 adapted to dig or cut into material or other obstructions on the ground or floor during the propelling operation.

The means for rocking each triangular tread frame about its diagonally disposed pivot or hinge may assume various forms, but herein, for illustrative purposes, comprises an upright extensible power device or hydraulic jack 18 having an upright fluid cylinder 19 containing a reciprocable piston 20 having its piston rod 21 extending upwardly and pivotally connected at its upper end, at 22, to lugs 23 on the machine frame. The cylinder 19 is pivotally mounted on a parallel axis at 24 on the upper portion of the tread frame. This hydraulic jack is disposed at one side of the pivotal axis of the tread frame as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Thus, when fluid under pressure, such as liquid pressure, is supplied in a proper manner to the fluid cylinder the piston may be moved to effect rocking of the tread frame about its diagonal pivot. The tread frame guideways 6 have rectangularly related longitudinal and transverse portions 25 and 26 respectively along which the crawler tread is guided for circulation and by tilting the tread frame the tread portions moving along said guideway portions may be selectively brought into contact with the ground so that the machine may be propelled either longitudinally by one ground engaging portion or transversely by the other ground engaging portion as desired. Rotary guides or idlers 27 are journaled on bearings 28 supported by vertical shafts 2.9 on the tread frames and each endless crawler tread passes around these idlers and around a drive sprocket 30, with the idlers and sprocket respectively disposed at the three corners of the triangular tread frame.

Various forms of driving means for the endless treads may be employed but herein, for illustrative purposes, each crawler tread may be driven by a suitable motor 31 desirably a reversible fluid motor such as a conventional reversible hydraulic motor. A worm 32 connected to and driven by the motor shaft meshes with and drives a worm wheel 33 secured to a vertical shaft 34 suitably journaled within a housing 35 desirably formed integral with the tiltable tread frame. A gear 36 secured to the shaft 34 meshes with a spur gear 37 keyed to a vertical shaft 38 likewise suitably journaled within the gear housing 35. Also secured to the shaft 38 is a spur pinion 39 meshing with and driving a large spur gear 40 keyed to a vertical shaft 41 also suitably journaled within the gear housing. This latter shaft is keyed at 42 to the hub of the drive sprocket 30. Thus when the hydraulic motor 31 is operating the endless crawler tread may be circulated about its guidcways about the triangular tread frame.

From the foregoing it is evident that the endless tread or tread chain of each crawler unit has ground engaging portions, one at right angles with respect to the other, with one portion disposed longitudinally of the machine and the other portion transversely disposed so that when such portions are selectively brought into contact with the ground the machine may be propelled either longitudinally or sidewise along rectilinear paths. The tilting of the tread frames to bring the longitudinal and transverse portions of the crawler treads selectively into contact with the ground may be effected by the hydraulic jacks and the tread frames may be firmly locked in either of their tilted positions by trapping liquid within the jack cylinders.

The modified construction shown in FIGS. and 11 is generally similar to that above described and comprises a similar power adjusted triangular tread frame pivoted as shown and having a similar endless crawler tread guided for orbital circulation thereabout. In this construction, each tread frame has an upper platelike portion or support 44 hingedly connected at 45 to the lower portion of the machine frame and, in the position shown in FIG. 11, the upper plane surface 46 of the upper plate engages an inclined, downwardly facing plane abutment surface 47 on the machine frame. The upper plate 44 has a depending bracket 48 to which the tread plate is hingedly connected, as in the preferred embodiment above described. An extensible power device or hydraulic jack 49 has its cylinder 50 pivotally mounted at 51 on a depending lug 52 on the upper plate 44 and reciprocable within this cylinder is a piston 53 having its upwardly extending piston rod 54 pivotally connected at 55 to lugs 56 integral with the machine frame. Thus when the jacks 49 of the several crawler tread units are operated to lower the machine frame to bring the plane surfaces 47 downwardly into contact with the upper surfaces 46 of the upper plates 44 the crawler tread frames are brought down into positions wherein the crawler treads lie flat against the ground, as shown in FIG. 11, thereby to stabilize the machine during its non-traveling operation.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the hinge connection between the machine frame and each tread frame as shown in the preferred embodiment is omitted and each tread frame is connected to the machine frame by three upright extensible power devices or hydraulic jacks 59, 60 and 61 having hydraulic cylinders 62 two of which are rigidly connected to the machine frame while the third is pivotally mounted, as shown in FIG. 12. Each jack cylinder contains a reciprocable piston 63 having a downwardly extending piston rod 64. The piston rods at their lower ends are universally pivotally connected as by ball and socket pivots 65 to the tread frame. The three power jacks are arranged near the three corners of a triangle on the triangular tread frame, as shown in FIG. 13, and when liquid under pressure is properly supplied to the jack cylinders they may be operated to tilt the tread frame to bring the desired ground engaging portion of the crawler treads into propelling contact with the ground. Otherwise this embodiment is similar to the preferred embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1 to 9 inclusive.

In FIG. 14 another form. of the invention is disclosed and, in this construction, a machine frame 67 is pivotally mounted at 68 to swing horizontally about an upright axis relative to a conventional rear crawler unit 69. This crawler unit comprises a central frame 70 supported by parallel side crawler treads 71. Mounted at the forward side corners of the swingable machine frame are crawler units 72 likewise similar to those of the preferred embodiment above described. When the tilting jacks of the front crawler units are suitably operated the transverse ground engaging portions of the crawler treads may be brought into contact with the ground so that when the treads are operated they effect the horizontal swinging of the machine frame relative to the frame of the rear crawler unit. By reversing the motors of the front crawler units the machine may be swung horizontally in the opposite direction. When the longitudinal ground engaging portions of the front crawler treads are brought into contact with the ground they may cooperate with the rear crawler treads in movement of the machine in either longitudinal direction along a rectilinear path.

In FIGS. 15 and 16 another modification is disclosed. In this construction the machine frame is supported by parallel side crawler tread devices or units 75 comprising relatively narrower and elongated longitudinal extending guide framew 76 having endless crawler treads or tread chains 77 guided for orbital circulation about their margins. The endless treads each have oppositely moving runs or ground engaging portions along the opposite longitudinal sides of the tread frames. The crawler tread frames are pivotally mounted at 78 on the machine frame to rock about parallel axes extending longitudinally of the machine and extensible power devices in the form of hydraulic jacks 79 are pivotally mounted between the bottom of the machine frame and the crawler tread frames for tilting the latter about their longitudinal axes selectively to bring one or the other of the longitudinal side portions 91, 1 1 Of the crawler treads into contact with the ground. Since the opposed longitudinal runs of the crawler tread frames travel in relatively opposite directions along the guideways of the tread frames one longitudinal portion of each tread unit may act to propel the machine forwardly along a rectilinear path while the other longitudinal portions of the tread chains may be brought into contact with the ground to propel the machine along a rectilinear path in the reverse direction. Thus reversal in the direction of movement of the ma chine may be effected simply by rocking the crawler units into one of their propelling positions or the other. By trapping liquid within the jack cylinders the tread frames may be locked in either of their adjusted positions and during non-traveling operation of the machine the jack cylinders may be operated to bring the crawler units into positions flat against the ground surface thereby to stabilize the machine.

As a result of this invention an improved machine propelling means is provided whereby a machine may be propelled in relatively different directions simply by bringing different portions of the propelling units selectively into contact with the ground. By the provision of the tiltable mountings for the crawler tread units along which portions the endless crawler treads are guided for movement the tread portions may be selectively brought into contact with the ground to propel the machine in relatively different directions as desired. The tiltable tread frames hingedly connected to the machine frame together with the rectangularly related guiding portions along which the tread chain travels enable selective movement of the machine either longitudinally or sidewise without undesired sluing of the machine. By utilizing different portions or runs of each crawler tread as a propelling portion and by guiding the treads on adjustable frames it is possible to propel the machine in relatively different directions simply by changing the positions of the adjustable frames thereby eliminating all relatively complicated controlling and reversing mechanisms. By bringing the treads into positions flat against the ground during the non-travelling operation of the machine increased stability is afforded. Other advantages of the invention will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there are in this application specifically described several forms and modifications which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms and modifications of the same are shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be further modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A crawler mounted machine propelling means comprising a frame having angularly related portions extending in directions one transversely to the other providing guiding means, endless crawler tread means guided for circulation along said guiding means of said frame portions, and means for adjustably mounting said frame whereby the latter may be adjusted selectively to bring said crawler tread means of one portion or the other into contact with the ground whereby the machine may be propelled in relatively different directions.

2. A crawler mounted propelling mechanism comprising a frame providing a guideway thereabout, an endless crawler tread guided for circulation along said guideway and having ground engaging portions moving in relatively different directions one transversely to the other, and means for adjustably mounting said frame whereby the latter may be positioned to bring one portion or the other of said tread into contact with the ground whereby the machine may be propelled in relatively different directions.

3. A propelling means for a machine having a machine frame comprising, a propelling mechanism for the frame comprising a relative flat tread frame inclined with respect to the horizontal closer to the latter thamto the vertical and having a guideway about its margin, an endless crawler tread of a relatively flat construction guided for circulation along said guideway and provided with bottom ground engaging surfaces, said tread having one guided portion moving along said guideway in a direction different from another guided portion, and an adjustable mounting for said tread frame for adjusting the latter to bring selectively said tread portions into contact with the ground whereby the machine may be propelled in relatively different directions.

4. A machine propelling means as set forth in claim 3 wherein one of said tread portions is angularly disposed with respect to the other whereby the machine may be selectively propelled in angularly related directions.

5. A machine propelling means as set forth in claim 3 wherein a power device is connected between the machine frame and said tread frame for adjusting said tread frame relative to the machine frame.

6. A machine propelling means as set forth in claim 5 wherein said power device is operable to effect adjustment of said tread frame into a position with said crawler tread in flat contact with the ground with the machine frame resting upon said tread frame thereby to stabilize the machine during its non-traveling operation.

7. The combination with a machine frame of a crawler tread device for supporting the frame and including a flat tread frame hingedly connected to a support, an endless crawler tread guided for orbital circulation on said tread frame, adjusting devices for tilting said tread frame relative to said support, means for hingedly connecting said support to said machine frame, and an adjusting device for tilting said support relative to said machine frame to bring said tread frame into a position wherein said tread flatly engages the ground with the machine frame resting upon said support thereby to stabilize the machine during its non-traveling operation.

8. A combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein the machine frame has a downwardly facing abutment surface and said support has an upwardly facing surface against which said abutment surface rests when said tread frame is in its position with said tread lying flat against the ground.

9. A crawler type propelling mechanism for mobile machines having a machine frame, comprising, in combination a tread frame, an endless crawler tread guided for orbital circulation about the margin of said tread frame and having oppositely moving runs provided with ground engaging shoes, and means for mounting said tread frame to rock about a horizontal axis relative to the machine frame selectively to bring one or the other of said runs of said crawler tread into propelling contact with the ground.

10. A propelling mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein said tread frame is relatively narrow and elongated and extends longitudinally of the machine with said oppositely moving runs of said endless tread extending in parallelism with the major axis of said tread frame, and said mounting means is pivoted to rock about a longitudinal axis relative to the machine frame.

11. A propelling mechanism as set forth in claim 9 wherein power operated means is provided between the machine frame and said tread frame for rocking the latter about its pivotal axis relative to the machine frame.

12. A crawler mounted machine propelling mechanism comprising a frame having propelling portions providing guiding means, one of said portions being disposed at right angles with respect to the other, endless crawler tread means guided for circulation along said guiding means of said portions, and means for adjustably mounting said frame whereby the latter may be adjusted selectively to bring said crawler tread means of one portion or the other into contact with the ground whereby the machine may be propelled in different directions.

13. A crawler mounted propelling mechanism comprising a frame providing a guideway thereabout, an endless crawler tread guided for circulation along said guideway and having ground engaging portions moving in relatively different directions, one of said portions disposed at right angles with respect to the other, and means for adjustably mounting said frame whereby the latter may be positioned to bring one portion or the other of said tread into contact with the ground whereby the machine may be propelled in different directions.

14. A propelling means for a machine having a machine frame comprising, a propelling mechanism for the frame having a generally flat tread frame pivotally connected to said machine frame beneath the latter, said tread frame having a guideway about its margin, at least one portion of said guideway extending in a direction different from another portion of said guideway, an endless crawler tread of a generally'flat construction guided for circulation along said guideway and provided with bottom ground engaging surfaces, said tread having one guided portion moving along said guideway which extends in the said direction different from another portion of said guideway, and an adjustable mounting for said tread frame for adjusting the latter about its pivotal connection to bring one or the other of said tread guided portions into contact with the ground whereby the machine may be propelled in different directions.

15. A propelling means for a machine having an elongated machine frame comprising, a propelling mechanism for the frame having a generally flat tread frame pivotally connected to said machine frame beneath the latter on an axis extending diagonally to a plane extending longitudinally of said machine frame, said tread frame having a guideway about its margin, at least one portion of said guideway extending in a direction different from another portion of said guideway, an endless crawler tread of a generally fiat construction guided for circulation along said guideway and provided with bottom ground engaging surfaces, said tread having one guided'portion moving along said guideway which extends in the said direction diiferent from another portion of said guideway, and an adjustable mounting for said thread frame for adjusting the latter about its pivotal connection to bring one or the other of said tread guided portions into contact with the ground whereby the machine may be propelled in different directions.

16. A propelling means for a machine having an elongated machine frame comprising, propelling mechanisms for the frame each having a generally flat tread frame pivotally connected to said machine frame beneath the latter on an axis extending diagonally to a plane extending longitudinally of said machine frame and on the opposite sides of the longitudinal center of said machine frame, said tread frame having a guideway about its margin, at least one portion of said guideway extending in a direction different from another portion of said guideway, an endless crawler tread of a generally flat construction guided for circulation along said guideway and provided with bottom ground engaging surfaces, said tread having one guided portion moving along said guideway which extends in the said direction different from another portion of said guideway, and an adjustable mounting for said tread frame for adjusting the latter about its pivotal connection to bring one or the other of said tread guided portions into contact with the ground whereby the machine may be propelled in different directions.

17. A crawler type propelling mechanism for mobile machines having a machine frame comprising, in combination, a tread frame, said tread frame being relatively narrow and elongated and extending longitudinally of the machine with the narrow part of said tread frame disposed in a horizontal plane with respect to said ma- 8 chine, an endless crawler tread guided for orbital cir culation about the margin of said tread frame and having oppositely moving runs provided with ground engaging shoes, and means for mounting said tread frame to rock about a horizontal axis relative to the machine frame selectively to bring one or the other of said runs of said crawler tread into propelling contact with the ground.

18. A propelling mechanism for a mobile machine having a frame, comprising propelling devices on the frame each having a continuously moving propelling member having portions extending in relatively different directions and selectively movable into positions to engage the ground surface, one of said portions when in engagement with the ground surface operable to move the machine in one direction and the other of said portions when in engagement with the ground surface operable to move the machine in a relatively different direction and means for adjusting said propelling devices to adjust each thereof to bring one or the other of said portions of each device into the aforesaid ground engaging positions.

19. A propelling mechanism for a mobile machine comprising a frame having angularly related portions one extending in a direction transversely to the other, a continuously moving ground engaging propelling member carried by said frame with portions of said member moving along said frame portions respectively, said portions of said propelling member selectively movable into positions to engage with the ground surface and when said transverse portion of said propelling member is engaged with the ground surface the machine is moved in one direction and when the other portion of said propelling member is engaged with the ground surface the machine is moved in another direction and means for adjusting said frame to selectively bring one or the other portions of said propelling member into the aforesaid ground engaging positions.

20. A machine propelling mechanism comprising a mobile rear support having propelling means, a frame pivotally mounted at its rear portion on said rear sup port to swing horizontally relative thereto, and a mobile support for said pivoted frame having propelling means comprising a ground engaging member provided with ground engaging portions one of which portions forms an extension of the other portion, one of said portions extending transversely of the machine and the other of said portions extending longitudinally of the machine and each selectively movable into engagement with the ground surface, the one of said portions extending transversely when in engagement with the ground surface operable to swing said pivoted frame horizontally about its pivot and the one of said portions extending longitudinally when in engagement with the ground surface cooperating with the propelling means on said rear support to propel the machine longitudinally along a rectilinear path.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 765,832 Hamilton July 26, 1904 806,803 Hamilton Dec. 12, 1905 1,184,358 Kuhn et a1. May 23, 1916 1,268,034 Maresch May 28, 1918 1,842,752 Hendrickson Ian. 26, 1932 2,024,844 Berman Dec. 17, 1935 2,090,235 Schauer Aug. 17, 1937 2,603,301 Sipior et al. July 15, 1952 2,840,174 Rector June 24, 1958 

